O(s)-(2-alkoxyimino-2-alkoxyethyl) (mono or dithio) phosphinates

ABSTRACT

COMPOUNDS OF THE FORMULA   Y1-P(=X1)(-Y2)-X2-CH2-C(-O-R1)=N-O-R2   WHEREIN Y1 AND Y2 ARE INDEPENDENTLY SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ALKYL, ALKENYL AND   WHEREIN Z IS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ALKYL, ALKENYL, ALKOXY, ALKYLTHIO, HALOGEN, NITRO, ALKYLSULFOXIDE, ALKYLSUFLFONE AND DIALKYLAMINO, M IS AN INTEGER FROM 0 TO 5, AND N IS AN INTEGER FROM 0 TO 3; R1 AND R2 ARE ALKYL; AND X1 AND X2 ARE INDEPENDENTLY SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF OXYGEN AND SULFUR. THIS INVENTION ALSO DISCLOSES INSECTICIDAL AND ACARICIDAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING AN INERT CARRIER AND, AS AN ESSENTIAL ACTIVE INGREDIENT, IN AQUANTITY TOXIC TO INSECT AND ACARIDS, A COMPOUND OF THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION; AND FURTHER A METHOD OF DESTROYING INSECTS AND ACARIDS WHICH COMPRISES APPLYING TO SAID INSECTS AND ACARIDS AN AFOREDESCRIBED INSECTICIDAL AND ACARICIDAL COMPOSITION.   ((Z)M,(H)(5-M)-PHENYL)-(CH2)N-

United States Patent US. Cl. 260-944 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Compounds of the formula wherein Y and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl and wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, halogen, nitro, alkylsulfoxide, alkylsulfone and dialkylamino, m is an integer from 0 to 5, and n is an integer from 0 to 3; R and R are alkyl; and X and X are independently selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur. This invention also discloses insecticidal and acaricidal compositions comprising an inert carrier and, as an essential active ingredient, in a quantity toxic to insects and acarids, a compound of the above description; and further a method of destroying insects and acarids which comprises applying to said insects and acarids an aforedescribed insecticidal and acaricidal composition.

This invention relates, to new chemical compositions of matter, and more particularly, relates to new compounds of the formula wherein Y and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl and wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, halogen, nitro, alkylsulfoxide, alkylsulfone and dialkylamino, m is an integer from 0 to 5, and n is an integer from 0 to 3; R and R are alkyl; and X and X are independently selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention Y and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, chlorine, bromine, nitro, lower alkylsulfoxide, lower alkylsulfone and di(lower alkyl)amino, m and n are each integers from 0 to 3; R and R are lower alkyl; and X and X are independently selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur. The term lower, as used herein, designates a straight or branched carbon chain containing a maximum of 10 carbon atoms.

The compounds of the present invention are unexpectedly useful as pesticides, particularly as insecticides and acaricides.

The compounds of the present invention can be readily prepared from compounds of the formula 0R (Hal)CH (il=NO-R (II) wherein Hal designates halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine, and R and .R are as hereinabove described, by reaction with about an equimolar amount of an alkali metal phosphinate of the formula Y i X M in (III) wherein M is an alkali metal and Y Y X and X are as heretofore described. This reaction can be effected by heating the reactants in an inert organic solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone at the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture for a period of from about 4 to about 24 hours. After the reaction is completed the reaction mixture can be filtered to remove the alkali metal halide which has formed. The desired product can then be conveniently recovered as a residue upon evaporation of the solvent from the remaining solution. The product can then be used as such or can be further purified by washing, distillation or chromatography if the product is an oil, or by trituration, recrystallization or other common methods well known in the art if the product is a solid.

The compounds of Formula II can be prepared from an alkoxyacetamide of the formula wherein Hal stands for halogen such as chlorine or bromine and R is as hereinabove described, by reaction with a diazoalkane. This reaction can be effected by slowly adding a solution of the alkoxyacetamide of Formula IV with stirring to a slight molar excess of a solution of the diazoalkane at a temperature below about 15 C. and preferably at a temperature of from about 10 to about 10 C. Suitable solvents for the reactants are inert organic solvents such as ether, benzene or ether-ethanol mixtures and the like. After the addition is completed, stirring can be continued for a short period to insure completion of the reaction. The desired product can then be recovered by evaporation of the solvents used and can then be used as such or can be further purified by conventional techniques well known in the art.

Exemplary diazolakanes suitable for reaction with the alkoxyacetamides of Formula IV to form the compounds of Formula II are diazomethane, diazoethane, diazo-npentane, diazo-n-propane, diazoisobutane, diazo-n-butane, diazo-n-hexane, diazo-n-octane, and the like.

Exemplary suitable alkoxyacetamides for preparing the compounds of Formula II are N-methoxy-u-chloroacetamide, N-ethoxy-a-chloroacetamide, N-isopropoxy-achloroacetamide, N n propoxy-a-bromoacetamide, N- butoxy-a-chloroacetamide, n-nonoxy-tat-chloroacetamide, and the like.

The alkali metal phosphinates of Formula III which are used in the preparation of the compounds of the present invention are known in the art and can be prepared by the methods described by Malatesta and Pizzotti, Chimica Industria (Milan) 27, 6-10 (1945), and Melnjkov and Grapov, Zhur, Vsesoyuz Khim. Obshchestva in D. I. Mendeleeva, 6, No. 1; 1l9120 (1961). Exemplary of suitable salts are:

potassium dimethylphosphinate potassium diethylphosphinate potassium di-n-propylphosphinate potassium diisopropylphosphinate potassium di-n-butylphosphinate potassium di-sec-butylphosphinate potassium di-t-butylphosphinate potassium dihexylphosphinate potassium diheptylphosphinate potassium didecylphosphinate potassium phenylmethylphosphinate potassium phenylbutylphosphinate potassium benzylphenylphosphinate potassium benzylbutylphosphinate potassium diphenylphosphinate potassium (4-chlorophenyl)methylphosphinate potassium (3-nitrophenyl) methylphosphinate potassium (Z-bromophenyl)ethylphosphinate potassium 3-methoxyphenyl propylphosphinate potassium (Z-dimethylaminophenyl methylphosphinate potassium (4-methylsulfonylphenyl)methylphosphinate potassium (3-ethylsulfinylphenyl) decylphosphinate potassium bis-[p-(ethylthio)phenyl]phosphinate potassium dimethylthiolophosphinate potassium diethylthionophosphinate potassium phenylmethylthionothiolophosphinate potassium (4-ch1or0benzyl) methylthiolophosphinate potassium bis(3,4-dichlorophenyl)phosphinate potassium allylmethylphosphinate potassium (2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl) (3-nitrophenyl) phosphinate The manner in which the compounds of the present invention can be prepared readily is illustrated in the following examples.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 1-chloro-2-methoxyimino-2- methoxyethane a period of about 2 hours. Stirring and cooling was continued for about 4 hours after the addition was completed. The reaction mixture was then allowed to warm up to room temperature and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was stripped of solvents. The residue was distilled and the fraction boiling between 61 and 70 C. at 20 mm. of Hg 4 pressure was collected to yield 1-chloro-2-methoxyimino- Z-methoxyethane.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of O-(2-rnethoxyimino-Z-methoxyethyl) dimethylphosphinate o OCH; H;OIHOCHZ(J=NO CH3 A solution of 1-chloro-2-methoxyimino-2-methoxyethane (7 grams; 0.05 mol) in methyl ethyl ketone (100 ml.) is placed into a glass reaction flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer and reflux condenser. Potassium dimethylphosphinate (6.6 grams; 0.05 mol) is added and the reaction mixture is heated at reflux with stirring, for a period of about 18 hours. After this time the reaction mixture is cooled and filtered to remove the potassium chloride which is formed. The filtered solution is then stripped of solvent under reduced pressure and the residue is redissolved in an ether-methylene chloride mixture. The resulting solution is washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The dried solution is then filtered and evaporated to yield O-(Z-methoxyimino- 2-methoxyethyl) dimethylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of 1-chloro-2-methoxyimino-2- ethoxyethane Ether .(275 ml.) was added to a 40% aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide m1.) and the resulting mixture was stir-red and cooled to about 5 C. in the absence of light. N-nitrosoethylurea (35.5 grams; 0.29 mol) was slowly added over a period of about 10 minutes with stirring and continued cooling. The ether phase was then decanted into a precooled 1 liter flask and a solution of N-methoxy-tit-chloroacetamide (20 grams; 0.1 mol) in an ethanol-ether mixture (200 ml.) was slowly added over a period of about minutes. Stirring and cooling was continued for a period of about 1 hour after the addition was completed. After this time the reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to room temperature and was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The dried solution was filtered and then stripped of solvents. The residue was distilled in vacuo to yield 1-chloro-2-methoxyimino-Z-ethoxyethane having a boiling point of 53 C. at 18 mm. Hg pressure and having the following elemental analysis as calculated for C H ClNO Theoretical percent: C, 39.6; H, 6.6; CI, 23.4. Found percent: C, 39.44; H, 6.62; CI. 23.44.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of S-(Z-methoxyimino-Z-ethoxyethyl) diisopropylthiolophosphinate 1-chloro-2-methoxyimino-2-ethoxyethane (4.5 grams; 0.03 mol), potassium diisopropylthiolophosphinate (6.1 grams; 0.3 mol) and methyl ethyl ketone ml.) are charged into a glass reaction flask equipped with stirrer and reflux condenser. The reaction mixture is heated at reflux for a period of about 16 hours with continuous stirring. After this time the reaction mixture is cooled and filtered to remove the potassium chloride which is formed. The filtered solution is then evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue dissolved in an ether-methylene chloride mixture. The resulting solution is washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered." The filtered solution is then stripped of solvents under reduced pressure to yield S-(2-methoxyimino-2- ethoxyethyl) diisopropylthiolophosphinate.

EXAMPLE Preparation of 1-chloro-Z-n-butoxyimino-Z-ethoxyethane A freshly prepared solution of diazoethane (12 grams; 0.2 mol) in ether (100 ml.) is charged into a liter glass reaction flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer and is cooled to a temperature of about 5 C. A solution of N- n-butoxy-a-chloroacetamide (17 grams; 0.1 mol) in a 1:1 mixture of ethanol and ether (200 ml.) is then slowly added to the flask, with continuous stirring and cooling, over a period of about 1 hour. After the addition is completed, stirring is continued for about 2 hours. After this time the mixture is filtered and the filtrate is stripped of solvents under reduced pressure to yield l-chloro-Z-nbutoxyimino-Z-ethoxyethahe as a residue.

EXAMPLE- 6 Preparation of O-(Z-n-butoxyimino-2-ethoxyethyl) (4-chlorophenyl)methylphosphinate A solution of 1-chloro-2 n-butoxyimino-2-ethoxyeth ane (9.7 grams; 0.05 mol) in methyl ethyl ketone (100 ml.) is placed into a glass reaction flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer and reflux condenser. Potassium (4-ch1or0- phenyl)methylphosphinate (11.4 grams; 0.05 mol) is added and the reaction mixture is heated at reflux, with stirring, for a period of about 18 hours. After this time the reaction mixture is cooled and filtered to remove the potassium chloride. which has formed. The filtered solution is then strippedof solvent under reduced pressure and the residue is'redissolved in an ether-methylene chloride mixture. The resulting solution'is washed with Water and is dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The dried solution is is then filtered and evaporated to yield O-(2- n-butoxyimino-Z-ethoxyethyl) (4 chlorophenyl)methylphosphinate. 1

' EXAMPLE'7 Preparation of l-chloro-2-isopropoxyimino-2- methoxyethane A freshly prepared solution of diazomethane (8.4 grams; 0.2 mol) in ether (100 ml.) is placed into a 1 liter glass reaction vesselv equipped with a mechanical stirrer and is cooled to a temperature of about 0 C. A solution of N-isopropoxy-ot-chloroacetamide (15.2 grams; 0.1 mol) in a 1:1 mixture .of ethanol and ether (200 ml. is then added to the reaction vessel, with continuous stirring and cooling, over a period about 2 hours. Stirring is continued for a further period of about 3 hours after the addition is completed. After this time the mixture is filtered and the filtrate is stripped of solvents under reduced pressure to yield 1-chloro-2-isopropoxyimino-2-methoxyethane as a residue.

EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of S(2-isopropoxyimino-2-methoxyethyl) benzylphenylthiolothionophosphinate A solution of l-chloro-2-isopropoxyimino-Z-methoxyethane (8.5 grams; 0.05 mol) in methyl ethyl ketone (100 ml.) isjplaced into a glass reaction flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer and reflux condenser. Potassium benzylphenylthiolothionophosphinate grams; 0.05 mol) is added to the flask and the reaction mixture is heated at reflux for a period of aboutv 12 hours. After this time the reaction mixture is cooled and filtered to remove the potassium chloride which has formed. The filtered solution is then stripped of solvent under reduced pressure and the residue is redissolved in an ether-methylene chloride mixture. The resulting solution is washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The dried solution is filtered and stripped of solvent under reduced pressure to yield S-(2-isopropoxyimino-2-methoxyethyl) benzylphenylthiolothionophosphinate as a residue.

Other compounds within the scope of this invention can be prepared b ythe procedures described in the foregoing examples. Presented in the following examples are the essential ingredients required to prepare the indicated named compounds according to the procedures heretofore described.

EXAMPLE 9 1 chloro 2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethane+po tassium diethylphosphinate=0-(Z-methoxyimino-Z-methoxyethyl) diethylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 10 1 chloro 2 methoxyimino 2 ethoxyethane+potassium di n-butylphosphinate=0-(Z-methoxyimino-Z-ethoxyethyl) di-n-butylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 11 1 chloro 2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethane+potassium didecylphosphinate=0-(2-methoxyimino-2-methoxyethyl) didecylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 12 N methoxy oz chloroacetamide+diazo-n-propane+ potassium phenylmethylphosphinate=0 (2 methoxyimino-2-n-propoxyethyl) phenylmethylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 13 N ethoxy a chloroacetamide+diazo-n-butane-l-potassium (4-chlorophenyl)ethylphosphinate=0-(2-ethoxy- 1mino-2-n butoxyethyl) (4 chlorophenyl)ethylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 14 N methoxy a chloroacetamide+diazo-n-pentane +potassium diphenylphosphinate=O-( 2 methoxyimino- 2 n-pentyloxyethyl) diphenylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 15 N isopropoxy a chloroacetamide+diazo-n-hexane +potassium (3,4 dibromophenyl)ethylphosphinate=0- (2 isopropoxyimino 2 hexyloxyethyl) (3,4 dibromophenyl ethylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 16 N n butoxy a chloroacetamide+diazo-n-heptane +potassium (3,5 diiodophenyl)isopropylphosphinate =0 (2 n-butoxyimino 2 n-heptyloxyethyl) (3,5- diiodophenyl isopropylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 17 N methoxy a chloroacetamide+diazo-n-octane +potassium (4 fluorophenyl)pentylphosphinate=O-(2- methoxyimino 2 n octyloxyethyl) (4-fiuorophenyl) pentylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 18 N ethoxy a chloroacetamide+diazo-n-decane +potassium (3 nitrophenyl)decylphosphinate=O-(2- ethoxyimino 2 n decyloxyethyl) (3-nitrophenyl) decylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 19 N n pentyloxy oz chloroacetamide+diazomethane +potassium (2,4 dimethylphenyl)phenylphosphinate =0 (2 n pentyloxyimino Z-methoxyethyl) (2,4- dimethylphenyl phenylphosphinate.

7 EXAMPLE 20 N n octyloxy a chloroacetamide+diazomethane +potassium (4 isopropylphenyl)phenylphosphinate (2 n octyloxyimino 2 methoxyethyl) (4- isopropylphenyl) phenylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 21 N n decyloxy a chloroacetamide+diazoethane +potassium (2 bromo 4 n-pentylphenyl)benzylphosphinate=0 (2 n decyloxyimino 2-ethoxyethyl) (2-bromo-4'n-pentylphenyl)benzylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 22 1 chloro 2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethane +potassium (3 chloro allylphenyl) (4-decylphenyl) phosphonate=0 (2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethyl) (3-chloro-5-allylphenyl) (4-decylphenyl) phosphinate.

EXAMPLE 23 1 chloro 2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethane '+potassium (3 pent 2 enylphenyl)allylphosphinate =0 (2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethyl) (3-pent- 2-enylphenyl)allylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 24 1 chloro 2 ethoxyimino 2 methoxymethane +potassium (2,6 dimethoxy 4 chlorophenyl)(4- octenyl)phosphinate:0 (2 ethoxyimino 2 methoxyethyl) (2,6 dimethoxy 4-chlorophenyl) (4-octenyl) phosphinate.

EXAMPLE 25 1 chloro 2 methoxyimino 2 ethoxyethane +potassium (4 ethoxyphenyl) (8 decenyl)phosphinate =0 (2 methoxyimino 2 ethoxyethyl) (4 ethoxyphenyl) (8 decenyl)phosphinate.

EXAMPLE 26 1 chloro 2 n butoxyimino 2 ethoxyethane +potassium (3 n butoxyphenyl)isopropylthionophosphinate=0 (2 n butoxyimino 2 ethoxyethyl) (3 n butoxyphenyl)isopropylthionophosphinate.

EXAMPLE 27 1 chloro 2 isopropoxyimino 2 methoxyethane +potassium (3 octyloxyphenyl) (3,4,5 trichlorobenzyl) thiolophosphinate=S (2 isopropoxyimino Z-methoxyethyl) (3 octyloxyphenyl) (3,4,5 trichlorobenzyl) thiolophosphinate.

EXAMPLE 28 1 chloro 2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethane +potassium (3 nitrophenyl) (4 decyloxyphenyDphosphinate=0 (2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethyl) (3 nitrophenyl) (4 decyloxyphenyl)phosphinate.

EXAMPLE 29 1 chloro 2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethane+ potassium (3,4 dinitrophenyl) (4 methylthiophenyl) phosphinate=0 (2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethyl) (3,4-dinitrophenyl) (4-methylthiophenyl)phosphinate.

EXAMPLE 30 N t butoxy a chloroacetarnide+diazomethane +potassium (4 n propylthiophenyl) (3 dimethylaminophenyl) thiolophosphinate=S (2 t butoxyimino- 2 methoxyethyl) (4 n propylthiophenyl) (3 dimethylaminophenyl)thiolophosphinate.

EXAMPLE 31 N methoxy a chloroacetamide-l diazo n pentane '+potassium (4 hexylthiophenyl) (3 diethylaminophenyl)thiolothionophosphinate:S (2 methoxyimino- 2 n pentyloxyethyl) (4 hexylthiophenyl) (3 diethylamino phenyl) thiolothionophosphinate.

8 EXAMPLE 32 1 chloro 2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethane+ potassium (4 di-n-decylaminophenyl)methylphosphinate =0 (2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethyl) (4-di-ndecylaminophenyl) methylphosphinate.

EXAMPLE 34 1 chloro 2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethane +potassium (4 methylsulfonylphenyl)methylthioloph0sphonate=S (2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethyl) (4-methylsulfonylphenyl)methylthiolophosphinate.

EXAMPLE 35 1 chloro 2 methoxyimino 2 ethoxyethane +potassium (3 isopropylsulfonylphenyl)(3 phenylpropyl)thiolothionophosphinate:S (2 methoxyimino- 2 ethoxyethyl) (3 isopropylsulfonylphenyl) (3 phenylpropyl) thiolothionopho sphinate.

EXAMPLE 36 1 chloro 2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethyl +p0tassium bis (p ethylthiophenyl)phosphinate=0- (2 methoxyimino 2 methoxyethyl) bis-(p-ethyL thiophenyl)phosphinate.

EMMPDE 3 7 N noyloxy oz chloroacetamide+diazomethane +potasium (4 decylsulfonylphenyl)benzylthionophosphinate=0 (2 nonyloxyimino 2 methoxyethyl) (4-decylsulfonylphenyl)benzylthionophosphinate.

EXAMPLE 38 N isopropoxy a chloroacetamide+diazo-n-butane +potasium (3 methoylsulfinylphenyl)(2 methyl-4- nitrophenyl)phosphinate=0 (2 isopropoxyimino 2- n-butoxyethyl) (3 methylsulfinylphenyl) (2 methyl-4- nitrophenyl) phosphinate.

EXAMPLE 39 N methoxy a chloroacetamide-i-diazo-n-propane +potassium (4 pentylsulfinylphenyl)allylphosphinate =0 (2 methoxyimino 2 n-propane) (4 pentylsulfinylphenyl)allylphosphinate.

"EXAMPLE 40 1 chloro 2 methoxyimino-Z-methoxyethane+potassium (4 decylsulfinylbenzyl) (2,4-dichlorobenzyl)thiolothionophosphinate=S (2 methoxyimino-2-methoxyethyl) (4-decy1sulfinylbenzyl) (2,4-dichlorobenzyl)thiolothionophosphinate.

For practical use as insecticides or acaricides, the compounds of this invention are generally incorporated into insecticidal or acaricidal compositions which comprise an inert carrier and an insecticidally or acaricidally toxic amount of such a compound. Such insecticidal or acaricid-al compositions which can also be called formulations, enable the active compound to be applied conveniently to the site of the insect or acarid infestation in any desired quantity. These compositions can be solids such as dusts, granules or wettable powders; or they can be liquids such as solutions, aerosols or emulsifiable concentrates.

For example, dusts can be prepared by grinding and blending the active compound with a solid inert carrier such as the tales, clays, silicas, pyrophyllite, and the like. Granular formulations can be prepared by impregnating the compound, usually dissolved in a suitable solvent, onto and into granulated carriers such as the attapulgites or the vermiculites, usually of a particle size range of from about 0.3 to 1.5 mm. Wettable powders, which can be dispersed in water and/or oil to any desired concentration of the active compound, can be prepared by incorporating wetting agents into concentrated dust compositions.

In some cases the active compounds are sufliciently soluble in common organic solvents such as kerosene or xylene so that they can be used directly as solutions in these solvents. Frequently, solutions of insecticides or acaricides can be dispersed under superatmospheric pressure as aerosols. However, preferred liquid insecticidal or acaricidal compositions are emulsifiable concentrates, which comprise an active compound according to this invention and as the inert carrier, a solvent and an emulsifier. Such emulsifi-able concentrates can be extended with water and/or oil to any desired concentration of active compound for application as sprays to the site of the insect or acarid infestation. The emulsifiers most commonly used in these concentrates are nonionic or mixtures of nonionic with anionic surface-active agents.

A typical insecticidal or acaricidal composition according to this invention is illustrated by the following example, in which the quantities are in parts by weight.

EXAMPLE 41 Preparation of a dust Product of Example 2 10 Powdered talc 90 The above ingredients are mixed in a mechanical grinder-blender and are ground until a homogeneous, freeflowing dust of the desired particle size is obtained. This dust is suitable for direct application to the site of the insect or acarid infestation.

The compounds of this invention can be applied as insecticides or acaricides in any manner recognized by the art. One method for destroying insects or acarids comprises applying to the locus of the insect or acarid infestation, an insecticidal or acaricidal composition comprising an inert carrier and, as an essential active ingredient, in a quantity which is toxic to said insects or acarids, a compound of the present invention. The concentration of the new compounds of this invention in the insecticidal or acaricidal compositions will vary greatly with the type of formulation and the purpose for which it is designed, but generally the insecticidal or acaricidal compositions will comprise from about 0.05 to about 95 percent by weight of the active compounds of this invention. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the insecticidal or acaricidal compositions will comprise from about 5 to 75 percent by weight of the active compound. The compositions can also comprise such additional substances as other pesticides,

stabilizers, Spreaders, deactivators, adhesives, stickers, fertilizers, activators, synergists, and the like.

The compounds of the present invention are also useful when combined with other insecticides or acaricides in the compositions heretofore described. These other insecticides or acaricides can comprise from about 5% to about 95% of the active ingredients in the compositions. Use of the combinations of these other insecticides or acaricides with the compounds of the present invention provide insecticidal and/ or acaricidal compositions which are more effective in controlling insects or acarids and often provide results unattainable with separate compositions of the individual compounds. The other insecticides or acaricides with which the compounds of this invention can be used in the insecticidal or acaricidal compositions to control insects or acarids include halogenated compounds such as DDT, methoxychlor, TDE, lindane, chlordane, isobenzan, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, endrin, mirex, endosulfon, dicofol, and the like; organic phosphorus compounds such as T EPP, schradan, ethion, parathion, methyl parathion, EPN, demeton, carbophenothion, phorate, zinophos, diazinon, malathion, mevinphos, dimethoate, DBD, ronnel, oxydemeton-methyl, dicapthon, chlorothion, phosphamidon, naled, fenthion, trichlorofon, DDVP, and the like; organic nitrogen compounds such as dinitro-o-cresol, dinitrocyclohexylphenol, DNB, DNP, binapacril, a-zobenzene, and the like; organic carbamate compounds such as carbaryl, or-tho 5353, and the like; organic sulfur compounds such as phenothiazine, phenoxathin, lauryl thiocyanate, [bis(2-thiocyan0ethyl)ether], isobornyl thiocyanoacetate, and the like; as well as such substances usually referred to as fumigants, as hydrogen cyanide, carbon tetrachloride, calcium cyanide, carbon disul fide, ethylene dichloride, propylene dichloride, ethylene dibromide, ethylene oxide, methyl bromide, paradichlorobenzene, and the like.

The compounds of the present invention can also be combined with fungicidal and nematocidal chemical compounds to form pesticidal compositions useful for the control of fungi and in some cases soil nematodes as well as insects or acarids. Typical examples of such fungicidal chemical compounds are ferbam, nabam, zineb, zirarn, thiram, chloranil, dichlone, glyodin, cycloheximide, dinocap, maneb, captan, dodine, PCNB, p-dimethylaminobenzene diazo sodium sulfonate, and the like; while examples of nematocidal compounds are chloropicrin, 0,0-diethyl O-(2,4-dichlorophenyl) phosphorothiate, tetrachlorothiophene, dazomet, dibromochloropropane, and the like.

The new compounds of this invention can be used in many ways for the control of insects or acarids. Insecticides or acaricides which are to be used as stomach poisons or protective materials can be applied to the surface on which the insects or acarids feed or travel. Insecticides or acaricides which are to be used as contact poisons or eradicants can be applied directly to the body of the insect or acarid, as a residual treatment to the surface on which the insect or acarid may walk or crawl, or as a fumigant treatment of the air which the insect or acarid breathes. In some cases, the compounds applied to the soil or plant surfaces are taken up by the plant, and the insects or acarids are poisoned systemically.

The above methods of using insecticidesare based on the fact that almost all the injury done by insects is a direct or indirect result of their attempts to secure food. Indeed, the large number of destructive insects can be classified broadly on the basis of their feeding habits. Among the insects which can be effectively controlled by the compounds of the present invention are the chewing insects, such as the Mexican bean beetle and the southern armyworm; the piercing-sucking insects, such as the pea aphid, the cereal leaf beetle, the housefly, the grape leafhopper, the chinch bug, the lygus bug, the oyster shell scale, the California red scale, the Florida red scale, the soft scale and mosquitoes; the internal feeders, including borers, such as the European corn borer, the peach twig borer and the corn earworm, worms or weevils, such as the codling moth, the alfalfa weevil, the cotton boll weevil, the pink boll worm, the plum curculio, the red banded leaf roller, the melonworm, the cabbage looper and the apple maggot, leaf miners, such as the apple leaf miner, the birch leaf miner and the beet leaf miner, and gall insects, such as the wheat joint worm and the grape phylloxera. Insects which attack below the surface of the ground are classified as subterranean insects and include such destructive pests as the wooly apply aphid, the Japanese beetle, the onion maggot and the corn rootworm.

Mites and ticks are not true insects. Many economically important species of mites and ticks can be controlled by the compounds of this present invention, such as the red spider mite, the two-spotted mite, the strawberry spider mite, the citrus rust mite, the cattle tick, the poultry mite, the citrus red mite and the European red mite, Chemicals useful for the control of mites are often called miticides, while those useful for the control of both mites and ticks are known specifically as acaricides.

The quantity of active compound of this invention to be used for insect or acarid control will depend on a variety of factors, such as the specific insect involved, intensity of the infestation, weather, type of environment, type of formulation, and the like. For example, the application of only one or two ounces of active chemical per acre may be adequate for control of a light infestation of an insect or acarid under conditions unfavorable for its feeding, while a pound or more of active compound per acre may be required for the control of a heavy infestation of insects or acarids under conditions favorable to their development.

The insecticidal utility of the compounds of the present invention can be demonstrated, for example, by experiments carried out for the control of insects by feeding. In one experiment, for the systemic control of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), day old Laxton pea plants are watered with 30 ml. of an aqueous emulsion of an acetone solution of the test compound and are thereafter infested with ten newly molted adult pea aphids. The infested plants are then placed in a holding chamber at 65 F. for a period of 48 hours and are supplied with water and light as required. After the 48 hours the mortality of the pea aphids is determined and rated on a percent basis in comparison to an untreated control. The results of this experiment indicate the high degree of cativity possessed by the compounds of this invention.

The insecticidal utility of the compounds of this invention as contact poisons can be demonstrated, for example, in an experiment carried out for the control of the housefly (Musca domestica). In this experiment each of fifty flies is contacted with the test compounds, formulated as an aqueous emulsion of an acetone solution, by applying the formulation to the dorsum of its thorax. The flies are then placed in a wire mesh cage where they are supplied with sugar syrup. After the end of a 24 hour period the mortality of the flies is observed and is rated in comparison to untreated controls. The results of this experiment indicate the high degree of activity possessed by the compounds of this invention.

The acarical utility of the compounds of the present invention can be demonstrated, for example, by experiments carried out for the control of the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). In one such experiment, wherein the systemic activity is demonstrated, 5 day old Henderson bush lima bean plants are each Watered with 30 m1, of a formulation containing the test compounds at a concentration of 3500 parts per million. After a period of 48 hours the plants are infested with twospotted spider mites and are placed in a holding room and supplied with water and light as required. After a period of 5 days the mortality of the mites is determined and rated on a percent basis in comparison to untreated controls. The results of this experiment indicate the high degree of acaricidal activity possessed by the compounds of this invention.

We claim: 1. A compound of the formula X1 0--R1 Y 1 -X -CH C 1=NO-Rz wherein Y and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, halogen, nitro, lower alkylsulfoxide, lower alkylsulfone and di(loweralkyl)amino, m is an integer from 0 to 5, and n is an integer from O to 3; R and R are lower alky-l; and X and X are independently selected from the group con sisting of oxygen and sulfur.

2. The compounds of claim 1, S-(2-methoxyimino-2- methoxyethyl) dimethylthiolophosphinate.

3. The compound of claim 1, O-(2-methoxyimino-2 ethoxyethyl) diisopropylthionophosphinate.

4. The compound of claim 1, O-(2-methoxyimino-2- methoxyethyl) dimet-hylphosphinate.

5. The compound of claim 1, O-(Z-n-butoxyimino-Z- ethoxyethyl) phenylmethylphosphinate.

6. The compound of claim 1, O-(Z-isopropoxyimino- 2-methoxyethyl) benzylphenylphosphinate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,454,681 7/1969 Malz et al 260-944 CHARLES B. PARKER, Primary Examiner A. H. SUTTO, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

